Physical activity on medical prescription: A qualitative study of factors influencing take-up and adherence in chronically ill patients

Abstract

Objective:

This study sought to determine the effects of an innovative public health programme offering physical and sports activities on medical prescription to chronically ill patients.

Method:

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with programme participants at two time points: at the start of their activity (n = 33) and 3 months after the first interview (n = 25).

Results:

Findings reveal that this public health initiative engaged a very sedentary population taking starting or returning to physical exercise. Participants reported beneficial effects on their well-being and underlined the benefits of being monitoring and participating in activities with other patients.

Conclusion:

For individuals interviewed, starting (or getting back to) a physical activity proved beneficial, and their evaluation of the programme shows that it matched their expectations, although study participants also expressed difficulty in shifting to physical activity independently of the programme.

Keywords

Chronic disease France medical prescription physical activity secondary prevention

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